KEENE, N.H. 2/25/10 - If he's not in the pool competing against
swimmers, Keene State College's Cody Larrimore
prefers to be in the forest tracking down prey. "Hunting is
my escape from swimming," said the senior from Trappe, Md., "I
annoy Coach [Jack] Fabian so much on weekends
during the season because all I want to do is go away and hunt."
Traveling back home to the Eastern Shore of Maryland or out to
Illinois whenever he gets a chance, Larrimore says he favorite prey
is deer. Already this season he has taken down 12 deer, 9
does and 3 bucks, his biggest a 10-pointer buck during the
semester break.
Returning to the pool this semester, Larrimore has also taken down
his share of Keene State swim records. At last weekends' New
England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA)
Championship in White River Junction, Vt., the senior sprinter
established new Owl marks in the 50 (20.78) and 100 freestyle
(46.11), and the 100 butterfly (50.35). He was also a member of
four record setting relays.
"It was a complete shock, especially my time in the 100 fly" said
Larrimore. "I knew it was my last championship, so I wanted
to go out with a bang."
"Cody was right on target and full of confidence in every race,"
said Fabian. "He knew exactly what he had to do and executed
his game plan."
Larrimore, who was named the male swimmer of the meet, played a key
role leading Keene State to its second straight NEISDA swimming
crown.
Larrimore knows a thing or two about setting swimming records and
winning championships at KSC. The former standout at Easton
(Md.) High, where was recipients of the teams' MVP award as a
senior, has his name all over the record board that decorates the
far wall at Spaulding Gym pool. In his first two seasons,
Larrimore set five Owl individual records and claimed a combined 11
NEISDA titles.
Needing a break from a sport he had competed in since he was five,
Larrimore stepped out of the pool following his sophomore
season. "I was just burnt out and needed a break," he
said.
The solitude of hunting allowed Larrimore to focus on his target
and refocus his desire to return to the pool.
Returning to Keene, Larrimore dedicate himself to getting back in
shape. "Swimming was something I did well my entire life,"
Larrimore said. "I just wanted to finish out my career on a
positive note."
"I was excited to hear that Cody wanted to return to the team, but
I knew it would be a long road for him to come back," said
Fabian. "I told him if he wanted it this time it has to be
for you and not for anybody else."
In his first meet back against regional rival Bentley University,
Larrimore swam the opening leg of the 200 medley relay, setting a
KSC record in the 50 back and also winning two other races.
While swimming got Cody's competitive juices flowing again, his
strong desire to succeed also allowed an innate fear of losing to
resurface. "Whether it's in practice or championships meet, I
get nervous before I swim," he said.
To counter the anxiety on the blocks, Cody tries to go over the
race in his head to stay calm.
Instead of being a deer in the headlights, Larrimore was as cool as
a cucumber in the warm pool at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center last
weekend. He's hoping his performance will earn him a berth to
the NCAA Division III Championships at the University of Minnesota
later next month (March 17-20).
Larrimore is currently seeded 12th in the 50 free, 15th in the 100
fly, and 21st in the 100 free on the list of national
competitors. If Larrimore makes the grade he will be the
first Keene State men's swimmer to go to the NCAA meet since 1977.
"I'm really glad I came back," said Larrimore. I'm very proud
of what I've accomplished."
It's a great comeback story," said Fabian. "Cody always had
the talent to be successful. It's nice to finally see him
appreciate that."
